Bug List and Updates to SimpleCSS Template for BANS and WordPress

July 16, 2008 | 5 Comments

I wanted to produce a post where I can keep track of all bugs you may experience with the SimpleCSS BANS Template for WordPress. If you find a bug, please post a comment to the bottom of this post, or use the contact form to send it to me directly.

After bugs are corrected, the newest set of files is uploaded to the download manager. You should be able to revisit the download link that was sent to you via email, and download the latest version. If you do not have the original email, use the contact form above to shoot me over an email and I will send you the update.

Please note that not all reports are added until I have verified there is an actual bug in the template system.

Last Updated: 07/16/2008

Reported Bugs

Stray #1 posting to the left of the comment count. Fixed: 07/15/08
Simple CSS Template Bug Fix 1 :: Video of the Fix in Action (4:48 Long)

Sidebar #1 and #2 not working correctly on the blog side of the site. Fixed: 07/16/08

1 - Open your wp-content/themes/simplecss/sidebar.php file in the editor of your choice. (cPanel editor works fine) Find the following code, starting at line #5

<?php if ( function_exists(’dynamic_sidebar’) && dynamic_sidebar(5) ) : else : ?>   
 <?php endif; ?>
 </div> 
 <div id=”sidebarright”>
<?php if ( function_exists(’dynamic_sidebar’) && dynamic_sidebar(1) ) : else : ?>

The 5 needs to be a 1 and the 1 needs to be a 2, or after it is updated:

<?php if ( function_exists(’dynamic_sidebar’) && dynamic_sidebar(1) ) : else : ?>   
 <?php endif; ?>
 </div> 
 <div id=”sidebarright”>
<?php if ( function_exists(’dynamic_sidebar’) && dynamic_sidebar(2) ) : else : ?>

Save your work, upload to server if you changed on local system. Done.

If you downloaded the SimpleCSS Template after 8PM ET, 07/16/08, it is already completed. Also remember, you have 2 versions of the template included in your download. Make sure you update both packages, or simply download the latest version for all fixes to be completed.

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Using the FireBug Extension for FireFox to Understand Site Layout

July 14, 2008 | 5 Comments

As mentioned in the post about the week ahead, we are going to be digging into the SimpleCSS Template to learn how to change several areas of the page. In order to fully understand the underlying code and how the page layout is controlled, you must first know what you are looking at!

Things you are going to need:

1. FireFox Web Browser
2. FireBug Plugin for FireFox

FireBug for FireFox is an extension that allows you, in real time, to view all aspects of a page layout and design. The video below is a very quick and basic view of how you can use it to see which areas of the page are controlled by which sections of the style.css file, or any other file, that may be in play.

Video length: 10:22

As we progress through the next few posts on making changes to your site, you will see how helpful this little utility can be!

Mark

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BANS Template for WordPress - Simple CSS

July 12, 2008 | 19 Comments

As I mentioned in my post yesterday about the newest BANS Template for WordPress, the SimpleCSS Theme pack is ready for purchase on the Templates page!

This theme is actually a great starting point for anyone who may want to try and do a bit of template editing on their own as well, since it is very basic css driven, with the exception of the BANS code. Like the Flex-BANS Template, there are no changes to the actual Build a Niche Store software… you just drop in the theme package, configure a few bits of code, and you are on your way!

I have included 2 full versions in this package as well…

1. BANS-Blog: (preview site) Contains all files to incorporate a seamless integration of BANS with WordPress, on either an existing site, or any site that you just prefer to have your Build a Niche Store as the landing page for the domain. Ex: mywebsite .com/ (brings up BANS site) mywebsite .com/blog/ (brings up the blog)
2. Blog-BANS: (preview site) Contains all files to use the blog as your home page and use Build a Niche Store in a site folder or directory. Ex: mydomain .com/ (brings up wordpress) mydomain .com/store/ (brings up BANS store)

The logo included with the theme is made to be replaced with your own! It is set as a background image of the header section in the css file and can be changed as you see fit. The image is currently 400 x 125 pixels, the header section is 968 x 125, so you have flexability in the logo section, or use no logo at all!

Just a Few Features of the Theme Pack

1. FAST LOADING! The amount of the code behind this template was reduced to allow fast site loading!
2. Seamless integration between Build a Niche Store and WordPress!
3. 5 Widgetized Sidebars - You have the ability to add as much content as you wish with this theme, directly inside of wordpress!
4. No Touch BANS Code - None of the BANS files were changed! ANY future updates are compatible!
5. Cross Browser Compatible!

With previous versions, I have included plugins as part of the theme package. I feel it is best for you to download and choose which you prefer to install. I do recommend the following:

All-In-One SEO For WordPress
This plugin adds three fields to all of your posts for SEO optimized meta-information.
1. aLinks
   The aLinks plugin enables you to define a word or phrase for a link. Anytime that exact word or phrase appears in the content of one of your posts, aLinks automatically links it to the section you described. For example, you can create an aLinks instance for the word “hybrid car” and provide a link to the category within your BANS store. ANY time that phrase appears in one of your posts, it is automatically linked to the page you setup! This plugin is a HUGE timesaver!
2. cForms for WordPress
   Allows you to create contact, link exchange, or literally ANY type of forms on your site!
3. Google xml Sitemaps
   Self explanatory!
4. WordPress Privacy Policy Generator
   The all elusive privacy policy for our websites. With this plugin, you click a link… create a page… and you are done!
5. Redirection Plugin
   This plugin is most useful for those wanting to move an existing BANS site off the root of the domain into its own store folder. You simple visit the log generated within this plugin, see what pages were opened with no result and redirect them to the new location! If you have a site with less than 25-30 pages indexed and want to add a blog to the site, you can actually redirect EVERY indexed page to the new location with this plugin, in less than 30 minutes!

Directions for installing the theme are included with the zip download, however, if you prefer to review them first, they are found below:

1. BANS on the root, Blog in a directory (Includes video)
2. Blog on the root, BANS in a directory (Includes video)

This theme is ready for immediate purchase and download on our BANS Templates page for the cost of $29.00, which includes unlimited usage.

Update: There was a few small bugs found after this template was originally released - Please see the bug report page for followup. If you are downloading for the first time, all bugs have been corrected.

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Simple CSS BANS WordPress Template

July 11, 2008 | 15 Comments

Everyone has been asking about a very simple and easy to modify css template for BANS and WordPress… here it is! With this very easy to use template for Build a Niche Store and WordPress, you have the ability to change everything!

I am finishing up a few of the cross browser issues on the site right now, but should have it posted for you all within a few hours.

http://simple-css.trybans.com/

Some Notables:

1. 99.9% Image Free - The only images used on this site are BANS related for the listings, and a single logo image used in the background of the header. If you are familiar with editing the style sheet for BANS, you will have no problem changing any of the colors to suit your own needs!
2. Sidebars and Footer Widget Ready! -Use the WordPress widget functions to add banners, or add them directly to the code, whichever you prefer!
3. Small Footprint! - 70k Total - Loads much Faster!
4. BOTH Versions included in Download - If you have an existing BANS Site and just want a blog in a /blog/ folder, there is a version included! If you prefer the blog on the root of your domain, that version is here as well!
5. Very Few Template Edits! After that last video, I was determined to find an easier way… Done!

As I am finishing up the install package, if you would like to visit and see if you find more issues… I can address those as well! 

Thanks,

Mark

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Installing the BANS/Flex Template

July 9, 2008 | 7 Comments

As I stated earlier this week, this video (Long overdue) walks through the process of installing and general configuration of the BANS Flex template for Build a Niche Store and WordPress. If you need to get the template, it can be on the BANS Templates page.

BANS Flex Installation Instructions 

I should also mention that since this was the first template released to you all, I took some extra steps (many include files) to be sure diagnosis of issues was easy to track. With this template, you need to edit about 12-15 lines of code in order to call each of the files into the respective area. On future templates, this has been accomplished with only 2-3 template edits! Much easier!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask for help, I’m always glad to help out.

Mark

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